The Truth Always Comes Out

Posted by Ray Nicoli
Original blog via Teresa Giudice

I flew to Miami yesterday for my book signing so I didn't get to watch "The View" (we filmed it on Tuesday). And since I left right after my segment because I had a book signing on Staten Island that evening, I didn't know what Melissa and Kathy said during their segment. Now in my hotel, I just watched the whole thing online, and... wow... so many things going through my mind...

It's hard to get your thoughts straight when you're being interviewed for TV -- especially when you're trying to talk to 5 women at once like on The View and there are no "retakes." If you've ever done a live or even taped television segment, you know how much is going on and how overwhelming it can be, but I think I'm getting better! But I'm always much better at writing what I think because you're not on the spot, you can take your time, and there's the wonderful delete button! So here goes...

You all know I'm not big on bashing my co-stars, family, or really anyone on Twitter or Facebook and I try my hardest not to in my blogs either. I just don't live my life that way. I never have. I didn't run around town with Danielle's book. I don't meet with people's ex-husbands to dig up dirt on them. I don't hire private investigators to look up people's true identity on Twitter... I'm way too busy living my life, raising my beautiful daughters, working, and raising money for Neph Cure.

I only heard today that Melissa called me a liar or a fibber or whatever, when the press started calling me for my response. I'm not going to play he-said-she-said in the papers, but I do have to set the record straight so I wanted to just tell you all directly. I've been telling the same story--the truth--since it happened. Suddenly Melissa has a new answer for it, fresh from her new PR people: it' a lie and it's my "crutch." Are you kidding me?

Here's the absolute truth: I had no idea Melissa or Kathy were joining RHONJ until the day a Bravo producer called me and told me. And I was shocked almost out of my mind because I literally had no idea... not even the tiniest hint. The two of them can split hairs all they want and dance around the exact when/how/why, but the fact is you don't get cast on the show overnight. It takes interviews, phone calls, meetings, contract negotiations, etc. However much they did for however long I don't know because it was all behind my back.

After Dina and Danielle left in Season 2, there were two open spots on the show. None of us knew who they would pick. The producers interviewed tons of people in NJ. Every time one of my friends or even acquaintances got a call from producers for an interview, they called me immediately to tell me. That only makes sense, right? I was happy for anyone else to get the opportunity to be on the show and hoped a bunch of my friends would get picked. For whatever reason, they weren't. Why would anyone who knew me interview for a show I had been on for two years and keep it a secret from me???

I got my contract from Bravo for Season 3 and just a few weeks before we were scheduled to start filming, I got a call from one of the producers saying: "By the way, the new Housewives are your sister-in-law and cousin Kathy." Total shock. Never in a million years was that even a possibility to me because I'd never heard anything about it from them. In fact, when I was filming, Kathy would put the show down and say she could "never" be on TV like that. I would have to defend myself and say, "Well, I chose it and I'm having fun with it."

I called Melissa and Kathy to ask if it was true. They did not call me. They confirmed that yes they'd "interviewed" but said "nothing was set in stone yet." They said they were still thinking about the offer and going to make family decisions about it. Um, what? *Family* decisions?!?

Melissa's very good at giving you carefully selective answers. "I interviewed on a Friday and told Teresa about it that Sunday" is technically true, but far from the complete story. She could have interviewed that Friday, but was it her very first interview, the first time she'd ever had a hint of being on the show? Did she wait only 2 days between first getting in contact with Bravo and telling me? No and no.

Now add Kathy, my blood relative's spin on it. She told the ladies on The View they couldn't tell me about being on the show because they had signed confidentiality agreements. Which is it? You told me right away or you couldn't tell me? Now Kathy changes her story again and says there was "nothing to tell." What??? This is my life and my livelihood. It's not like you just started shopping at the same grocery store. Why keep it a secret if you weren't up to something not good?

Why is this important at all? Because the shock and betrayal I felt by my family joining the show behind my back (during an already hard time in my life) is why I was so obviously miserable during Season 3, and continued to affect my relationships with them into Season 4 (which you all know we filmed back-to-back).

I have fully admitted I'm not proud of everything I did and said in Season 3, but I was in a bad place and feeling very betrayed. And I've taken responsibility for it and apologized over and over to each and every person for anything I might have done or even things they thought I might have done just to make peace.

However, what's never been cleared up, apologized for, or even honestly addressed is how and why Melissa and Kathy joined the show behind my back. I had doubts and fears about their intentions for joining the show (because they hid it from me), which I think were answered by Kathy and Melissa's own actions on the show and in their own blogs. Melissa's very first blog says it all: bravotv.com. I can't even count the lies. You all know I included my brother and Melissa in everything in my life from all my televised parties like my Housewarming party all the way to Audriana's private first birthday party the month before we started filming the new season they had just joined without me knowing. Audriana's party was September 2010; Joey's infamous christening was October 2010, yet Melissa claims we "weren't speaking for months." Interesting math.

I wasn't excited going into filming with them because of how they joined the show. I worked through it slowly, and you see me now in Season 4 doing better with them (or you will very soon!). But that was filmed before I ever saw Season 3. Before I saw what the two of them actually said about me on the show. Still, I tried to work through it.

I even worked through it when I started to find out more about how Melissa especially got on the show. She innocently claims Bravo just called her up and wanted her. But I heard from many people inside the process that Melissa campaigned hard to get on the show from the first season and they didn't want her. Fine, I don't begrudge her that. She could have told me, but O.K. But she didn't stop.

Melissa contacted Danielle during Season 2 when Danielle was still filming with us. Why? Danielle claims Melissa wanted to film with her (as a "friend of Danielle"???), but that Danielle turned her down (my guess is Danielle was afraid she was being set up). I had no idea at the time, so when Danielle brought up Melissa's name and an accusation about the birth of Melissa's baby during the Season 2 Reunion, you saw my response (and poor Andy felt it!). How would Danielle know anything about my family? Caroline, Jacqueline, and I all blamed Danielle thinking Danielle was just telling more lies about knowing anyone in my family.

Fast forward to last year when Season 4 is filming. I was on "Watch What Happens Live" when Andy Cohen read me a tweet from Danielle asking what I thought about how Melissa had been contacting HER. Um, what? Again, total shock. Stupid, naive shock on my part I guess, but I thought Melissa trying to get on the show and keeping it a secret from me was the worst of it. Never did I imagine she would have tried to work with Danielle behind my back to get on too.

I asked Melissa directly if she talked to Danielle, and she admitted it. Ask her yourself. You're likely to get a typical half-truth, glossed over answer, but I'm pretty sure Danielle was smart enough to keep any of the evidence so she should be careful... There are just no words for how crazy this is to me, especially when you know, like Melissa did because I told her when it was happening, how much pain Danielle caused the Manzo/Laurita family -- publicly and behind the scenes. In my mind, there is no innocent explanation for contacting Danielle. Period.

So put yourself in my shoes. Can you see how I might be feeling hurt by this whole thing? It didn't have to be this way. Melissa could have told me the truth from the beginning, and we could have worked together. Once she was for-sure on the show, I talked to her and my brother about exactly that: putting it all behind us and teaming up to take over the world together. They turned me down. Why? I have no idea. Maybe it's because that wasn't their plan...

I was told over a year ago by several different people behind the camera that to clinch their spot on the show (well before that one Friday interview I'm guessing), Melissa and my brother made a Godfather-style video where they acted out different crazy parts and talked about how they would "take me down" if they were cast and sent it to Bravo. Apparently lots of people saw it and they all laughed about how ridiculous and pathetic it was, and that it was of course "TV gold." I've never seen the tape. Does it exist? I have no idea. Maybe someone should ask Melissa. Here's my guess as to what she'll say: either it's an absolute lie and doesn't exist (in which case she better hope it never comes out) or that yes, they did and it was all in "fun." I'm fairly certain if I saw it, I wouldn't think it was very fun, but ok... So add "audition tape" to another thing I didn't know about.

And no, I didn't put out the story about the tape in Star magazine a couple of weeks ago, despite Melissa's accusations that I did. I don't put out bad stories about anyone ever. It's not my style first of all, and it's just not smart. The truth always comes out. I'm sorry Melissa has enemies, but you don't have to look very far in NJ (or on Twitter) to find people who have a beef with her. That's not my deal though. I don't wish that on anyone, especially having suffered the tabloids myself.

The point is that still after finding out about the possible tape and the definite Danielle connection, I STILL made peace with Melissa and Kathy. Then, after filming Season 4, we filmed the Season 3 Reunion in September, and they all came at me. I thought we were in a better place, and then bam! That's when I stopped talking to them. I just wanted to move past it all, and I was fortunate enough to get to leave for the Celebrity Apprentice right afterwards and do just that.

Since September I haven't heard from Melissa or Kathy personally. I've gotten texts and a few tweets from them and I've sent texts and tweets to them about their kids' birthdays and supporting their new businesses, but that's it. That's not how we've ever communicated before in my family, but that's where I guess we stand now. It's very sad to me.

I did send my brother and Melissa an invitation to Gia & Milania's birthday party in January. They didn't respond, so I was surprised when Melissa showed up alone, posed for photographs, and left.

So when I got a call this week that suddenly Melissa and Kathy wanted a big reunion on The View, I'm sorry, I passed. Not because I thought anyone was going to attack me. Because we have a lot to resolve, and I didn't think it could be done sitting on a couch in front of an audience for a few minutes. That's not honest or real, and both things are very important to me.

At this point, I am honestly over that they joined the show. I've accepted it, I've learned to work with it, and I really do truly hope they get everything out of it that they hoped they would. I'm not looking for an apology or anything. Just the truth would be nice. Or how about just not calling me a liar about your own lie?

Everything I'm seeing on Season 4 now I'm actually seeing with you all for the first time too. I had no idea everyone was talking and plotting behind my back... Maybe it's good I didn't know because I was pretty overwhelmed with everything. I was blessed to get a break and do "Celebrity Apprentice" and it really did change me, showed me what was important in life. But I promise you, I'm not going to be bullied by anyone... or everyone if they really are all working together to "bring me down." I can't wait to start filming Season 5 so we can finally deal with everyone's crazy face-to-face. It's easy enough to be a tough guy behind my back, but let's do this out in the open.

Yes, I love my family, but I don't like them very much right now. I can't change the past, but in the present they continue to retweet bad stories about me and threats to my husband, they accuse me of planting every bad story that's ever written about them, and they lie about everything. It's not cool, not if you really want to move forward.

I want us to be whole again but it's going to take time... more than a few minutes on a couch. I'm guessing that "time" for us will come the same way this whole fight started -- on the show. You all watched our relationship fall apart, I think you deserve to watch us put it back together. At least, that's my hope. It's going to take them actually being honest though. I guess we all have to wait and "watch what happens" right?

In the meantime, I'm going to keep my head up, keep concentrating on all that is good and wonderful in my life -- like my beautiful daughters, my wonderful husband, and my amazing, inspiring fans! -- and continue to avoid tiny battles on Twitter and in the press. I want to win the war and to me that means dealing with this head on and getting my family back on the same page, back together. Think of what we could do if we were all fighting for the same thing!

Thank you all for supporting me and my family! You've become part of my family these past 3 years, and I love love love you all!

xx
Teresa

Melissa Gorga Overheard Saying She Wants To Take Teresa Down On The Set Of ‘The View’

Posted By Ray Nicoli

Original Blog Via All About TRH

The drama never ends with the Real Housewives of New Jersey! No really, it never ends. That’s probably why I can constantly write stories about them and they probably like it too! Melissa Gorga, Kathy Wakile, and Teresa Giudice stopped by ‘The View’ wednesday and a source tells NyDailyNewsthat producers wanted all 3 ladies to appear together on a segment they taped for Friday’s show.

Teresa thought it was a bad idea and requested her own segment. Producers then agreed because “they didn’t want the other cast members to attack her.” So how did Melissa Gorga feel about this? She apparently flipped! Melissa was then overheard on her cell phone saying, “our plan is ruined..so we have to come up with another way to take her down.”

That’s not all! Elisabeth Hasselbeck is said to have given Melissa and Kathy a really hard time about them joining the show behind Teresa’s back!

Wow! I can’t even say I’m shocked by this. I find Melissa wanting “things to work” with Teresa and her family a complete act for cameras! Are you shocked by any of this?!

The Real Housewives of New Jersey Implode

Posted By Ray Nicoli
Original Blog Via Keeping It Real

Teresa needs to walk away.

Last week I wrote that I was no longer going to blog this show because it had become so dark and unappealing.  I then did an interview with one of my readers and she told me that I must see the season through as my blog was an outlet for many people to discuss the show and if they were all suffering through it, so should I.  Well, here I am, once again blogging about what may be the ugliest reality show on television, and there is lots to say.

We start this week in the car with Teresa and Juicy.  She is explaining to him what happened last week when she fought with her brother at Kathy’s house.  Juicy is an ape and it’s horrible.  Poor Teresa tries to defend him and it is heartbreaking.  He goes off on her, her family, and even the kids.  He is rude, abrasive, and vile.  He tells her to shut up and when she tells him to not say it, he gets even meaner.  It is uncomfortable to watch.

He tells her that nobody from her family is allowed in their house and if she tries to bring them over he will kick them out.  If defies him, he will kick her out too.  He then goes on to say he swears on the lives of his children that he will leave her if she does not obey him.  Teresa is clearly mortified, and tries to laugh it off to the camera that he did not mean it.  That Bravo put his rant on the show is disgusting and I just wanted to cry.

Rich and Joe Gorga are in the gym working out and it pisses me off that they are even getting their own scenes.  This is about housewives not pathetic husbands who are looking for fame.  Rich is a tool.  He and Kathy try to make us think they are so loving and caring about family, but the fact is they are scripted that way, and not nice at all.  They are troublemakers and Kathy was clearly brought on to cause trouble with Teresa and Joe Gorga.

We then are forced to listen to Lauren Manzo complain about being fat.  It is humiliating for her and that she is even going along with this storyline is strange.  Her dad tells the camera he was glad she was fat in high school so guys would leave her alone.  Really?  Caroline then tells the camera she was too fat for her junior prom and her brother had to take her. WTF?  Caroline is crying that her kid is fat and I want to punch her in the face.

Important to note that punch her in the face is a figure of speech.  I would never really punch them in the face.  That said, should I be around one, and should my foot fall asleep and accidentally slide out from under me and land in front of a walking housewife, causing her to fall and perhaps land in some dog crap, or God forbid, knock out a tooth, it would simply be an unfortunate accident that truly had nothing to do with my mentioning a punch.

Teresa is on the phone with Jac telling her about the party at Kathy’s and it is hilarious.  She is having the entire conversation while she sits at her vanity looking at herself in the mirror.  I love Teresa.  Her kids are there, they can hear what she is saying, and it’s crushing.  Her little one is putting on makeup and I want to play with her.  These four children are stunning and you can’t help but wonder how they will be as teenagers and adults being raised by mom of the year Teresa, and Juicy, her ape of a husband.

Lauren is going shopping with Jac and once again talking about how fat she is. Jac talks about how Lauren is a great fake daughter and I want to scream. Ashlee may be a whining, spoiled brat, but can you blame her?  Her mom is a total bitch.  Lauren should not be a storyline, and if we are forced to watch her, why does it have to be about her weight?  Stop eating Sweetie.  Problem solved.  Jac is disgusting and Lauren is being humiliated.

Back with Teresa, she is with her daughters and it’s cute.  Truth be told, Bravo should cancel this crapfest and give Teresa her own show, “Life After Juicy”.  Just her and her kids starting over on her own.  Gia is talking about getting her first bra and her period, and it is charming.  I’m not a fan of including the kids on this level, but it is sweet and proves they need their own show.  Gia is a sensitive girl and I feel sad for her.

Over at Jac’s house she is hosting a field day and you have to wonder how exhausting it is to live your life on television under the illusion of having money.  I’m not buying it.  Bravo pays for all the scripted parties because none of these people have the kind of money they want us to think they have.  Everyone is coming over to play and you know it is going to get real ugly, real fast.  There is no concern for the children on this show.

The Manzo’s and Jac are in her kitchen gossiping about Teresa.  Albie and his roommate Gary are there and it’s sweet.  Sad that they feel the need to hide their obvious love, but they are a cute couple and I wish them well. Lauren is there getting mocked for being on a diet, she lashed out and they think it’s because she is either on her period or starving.  Caroline should be ashamed of herself for humiliating her child in such a public way.

Teresa is out bra shopping with Gia and it’s fun.  Gia is a real sport to do this on the show.  Teresa is uncomfortable, Gia is uncomfortable, the sales clerk is uncomfortable, and this never should have made it onto the show.  Gia is only 10, but is clearly wise beyond her years.  Teresa talking to Gia makes me glad I don’t have a daughter.  She has to go through this with four girls so God Bless her.  That is a lot of work so good luck Momma!

Melissa and Joe Gorga are on their way to Kathy’s and there is a lovely scripted moment of Melissa reading a fake text from Joe, then pretending to support him and his family getting along.  They get there and she immediately starts gossiping about Teresa. Caroline is all over it, and Melissa is wearing shorts that are simply embarrassing.  No matter how great her body is, her shorts are inappropriate and showing your ass in front of company is not cute.

Jac, Melissa and Caroline are repulsive to me now and watching this show is hard.  Caroline can’t stand it that Dina is friends with Teresa and not her. Caroline is a bitter hag and is so toxic that everything she says sounds bad. Jac is roving around the party gossiping and I want to scream.  Kathy brings dessert and the camera pans to Lauren licking her lips and being pissed off. FYI:  nothing Chris Manzo says is interesting or funny.

Joe Gorga talks to Gia and tells her he will try to make things better with Teresa.  This poor little girl is protecting her mother and it’s so very sad. She is growing up fast and I feel for her.  This week seems to be all about Gia, and it’s troubling.  She is a child, they are setting her up for humiliation, and when it blows I’m going to be pissed off.  Joe Gorga says he wants to make a change but yet he does nothing.  We are not stupid Mr. Gorga.

Joe Gorga cheats at one of the games and Gia calls him out on it.  She is a little kid, wants to play fair, and is not mature enough to let it go and just have fun.  Teresa is trying to calm her down, but Gia leaves to go off on her own.  Jac then proves she has no parenting skills by attacking Gia.  She is a complete bitch and that she voluntarily puts her pathetic parenting on display proves how truly ignorant this woman is.

Caroline comes to talk to Gia and they are now attacking her.  Caroline and Jac need to be kicked off this show.  I am so angry watching it and shame on everyone for being involved.  My heart is broken for Gia and for Teresa. Caroline’s children have no jobs and Jac’s daughter hates her, so why do these two think they are qualified to give parenting advice to Teresa, or help guide Gia through a difficult situation?  Really ladies?  Shut up.

This show is painful. I feel sad for Teresa and her kids.  It’s time for them to walk away and start fresh with a different show, and perhaps a new husband.  I will watch, and I will blog, but know that it’s hard.  Maury Povich and Jerry Springer have classier shows than this. Part of me wants us all to boycott and simply not watch to send a message to Bravo that this is garbage television.  It wouldn’t work because Bravo is about ruining lives and making money, not keeping it real.

Sneak Peek: RHONJ Families Actually Getting Along!

Posted By Ray Nicolini
Original Blog Via: AllAboutTRH 

In this sneak peek footage from next week’s episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, the families put aside their differences and wage war! It actually looks like a fun episode and shockingly everyone is getting along!

And check out this sneak peek footage where Caroline comments Teresa’s parenting skills because you know, she has every right to do so! And you know her neice isn’t Ashley Holmes…Yep I don’t get it either.

Real Housewives of New Jersey: A New Low

Posted By Ray Nicoli

Original Blog via: C'est la Vie: Potpourri

I’ve been debating whether to write this blog. Sunday’s episode shook me, again, to my core. My cousin and I had a LONG discussion about this how last night. We are both on Teresa’s side as it relates to this entire argument. It is never pretty to see FOUR GROWN women gang up on another woman for no truly recognizable reason. It doesn’t seem fair. I feel like I’m missing something, but there’s no way for me to ever find out. What did Teresa do that these women are CRUCIFYING her to the world?

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I want to skip straight to the scene with Joe and Teresa. Now I said last week that I did not believe that it was ok for Joe to tell Melissa what Teresa said about Melissa. I received flack for this, but I stand by my opinion. I think that a conversation like that, between a brother and a sister, should have stayed that. The only reason Joe told Melissa about the conversation was to continue the drama AND give themselves a pity/storyline for Season 4 (funny that they waited until the season aired to “discuss” everything). If Joe and Melissa were REALLY trying to fix this family, they would not have brought this onto National television. For that matter, they would not have COME on national television with this foolishness.

I also shared my opinion that I don’t think Joe and Teresa’s conversation about Melissa was wrong. I believe that you are supposed to protect your loved ones. If you have to tell them that they are crazy, do it. Now if you see that they aren’t receptive to the information (directly or indirectly), then that is your cue to keep it to yourself. But you tried and you did your part.

So the talk with Joe and Teresa. Did we really have to have this talk at a family pool party?? Yuck! Here’s my take: Joe and Melissa are acting. They are trying to paint this picture to America that they are victims and Teresa is the bully. But when Teresa encounters either of them (or even the other cast members), she is truly in shock with EVERYTHING they are saying or doing. She wasn’t prepared for it to be like that at all. This makes me feel horrible for her. I hate that she has to feel attacked and shocked every time she enters the scene.

Here’s my other issue. Why is it that Teresa is always at fault? From their comments on the show to their tweets to the blogs, the ENTIRE cast blames Teresa for EVERYTHING. They don’t find fault with themselves or each other. I read Jacqueline, Kathy and Melissa’s blogs and I thought I was going to puke. I could not believe the venom they have been spewing to America against Teresa. NONE of you are blameless. Not one of you. But for you to constantly deflect upon Teresa is truly unfortunate. This woman is left apologizing CONSTANTLY to each of you for you to continuously kick her to the curb. And for what? For you to try to make yourselves look better? The craziest part is, you don’t. Many viewers are seeing right through this charade and are rooting for Teresa to come out victorious.

I will let you four women in on another secret as well. If you wanted to hurt Teresa, you are doing it THE WRONG way. This is EXACTLY what backfired on Jill Zarin and why Bethenney is as famous as she is…